Poet and Novelist Alan Shapiro to Speak at ASU

Published Friday, May 18, 2012 at 10:37 am

Alan Shapiro

May 18, 2012. Award-winning poet and novelist Alan Shapiro will speak Thursday, June 7, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 421 Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State University. Shapiro’s presentation is the first in the annual Summer Author Series sponsored by the library.

A book signing and reception will follow. Parking will be available in the College Street parking deck. For more information, call Lynn Patterson at 828-262-2087.

Shapiro has been honored with numerous major awards for his poetry. His first novel, “Broadway Baby,” recently was published by Algonquin Books. The novel tells the story of Miriam Bluestein, whose fantasy about a life in the musical theatre ends with marriage and children. She seeks to realize that dream through one of her children, whom she pushes to “Make the most of his talent,” according to the publisher.

One of Shapiro’s 10 books of poems, “Happy Hour,” was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, as was one of his two memoirs, “The Last Happy Occasion.”He was also honored to be invited to read his work at the White House during the Clinton Administration.

In his poetry, Shapiro has explored family, loss, domesticity and the daily aspects of people’s lives.

Born in Boston, he was educated at Brandeis University. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and currently teaches English and creative writing at UNC Chapel Hill.